920 Apartments Approved in South Jerusalem

Two plans along the light rail axis in south Jerusalem, as part of a pilot in which the planning director is the developer, were approved for deposit by the Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee, headed by Shira Talmi-Babai. The plans include 920 units, of which about 185 will be small apartments for the city's young couples. This is the first pilot project of its kind, in which the party submitting the plans is the planning administration through the district committee. Both plans are new construction on vacant land.

The first plan is located in the south of the city, at the intersection of Dov Yosef and Nevanishti streets, on an area of about 12 dunams, next to the light rail Green Line. The plan includes the construction of three residential towers of 20 to 30 stories, including 450 housing units, which will combine commercial and employment areas on the lower floors. Of all the homes, 90 will be small apartments. In addition, the plan includes the construction of pedestrian crossings to the light rail station, the construction of six daycare centers and open public space.

The second plan is also located in the south of the city, on Yitzhak Modai Road and near Malcha Mall and Kiryat HaSport, on an area of about 10 dunams, next to the light rail Blue Line and Purple Line. The plan includes the construction of two 30-story residential towers with 470 homes, which will combine a commercial frontage toward the light rail axis, while one tower will be designated for long-term rental housing, for young couples and young families. Of all the homes, 94 will be allocated to small apartments.

In addition, the plan proposes the construction of an urban plaza overlooking the Nahal Refaim track park, and a public building that will be used for education and community benefit, which will connect the Malcha neighborhood with the plaza, and from there to the Nahal Refaim track park.

The plans were approved for deposit, as mentioned, as part of a pilot led by the Director General of the Planning Administration, Rafi Elmaleh, in which the district planning committees act as developers and promote detailed plans themselves, and once approved it will be possible to proceed. The move aims to encourage the development of vacant sites (INFILL) in the heart of cities and avoid building in open areas. Both plans were prepared by Farhi-Zafir Architects.

Planning Administration Director General Rafi Elmaleh: "The two plans approved for deposit in the Jerusalem District Committee are the result of a move that represents a paradigm shift. The planning administration's districts will themselves initiate plans and processes with an emphasis on multi-owner land, without waiting for this or that interested party. The move will help, on the one hand, to increase the housing supply within cities, without having to move into open areas."

Jerusalem District Planner at the Planning Administration, Dan Keinan: "These are unique plans that will become urban centers, along with the addition of rental housing units and other uses, and they will help promote vibrant urbanism that combines commerce, employment and residence, with quality public space oriented toward pedestrians."